Looking for Advice on making tape decal templates

I'm working on Tamiya's Toyota GT One kit, and I've decided to see how far I can push myself on this build.

One of the things I'm doing, is using extensively carbon fiber decals, which entails making my own templates using blue painters tape.

I just successfully created my first decal using a tape template, but it was a flat part w/ no curves, and very little to interfere w/ things.

However, there are a few area's, such as the underside of the engine cover, that is nothing but large compound curves, and I'm just not sure what the best way to go about cutting the template is, and then getting the decals to line up as best as possible so it doesnt look like a hack job.

So I'm looking for advice & suggestions on how to do this.

TIA

MPWR

08-29-2012, 07:44 PM

Best advice I can give is to switch to Tamiya masking tape for intricate areas. Yes, it's much more expensive than painter's tape, but it is definitely worth it. It is considerably easier to work with. Get multiple sizes (especially the narrower ones), and piece out curves as best as you can with it.

Adam Baker

08-29-2012, 07:46 PM

Ok, I'll see if I can find Tamiya tape locally. I've already made 1 attempt at taping the engine cover, and it just didnt go well, so I pulled it all back off to start over again.

da_ashman

08-30-2012, 07:35 PM

This is tricky, its a very complex shape & trying to make a template on a 3D object then placing it on a 2D flat object doesnt often work well. However Ive got 2 ideas for you.

1) Tamiya now sells their tape in Sheets, look for those, not cheap.

2) Hit up your local signwriters for some scrap vinyl. You'd want to ask for a 5-7yr Calendered vinyl (as this wont stretch too much on removal), apply the vinyl to the inside of the unpainted cowling & trim to suit. then carefully remove it without too much stretching & pulling, then apply it to the BACK of the decal film (this is not masking tape & is a very aggresive adhesive so if you put in on the decal side its gone.., or apply it to paper) This shouldnt cost ya too much (maybe a couple of cold ones...)

Other ideas, could try applying to outside of cowling, do it in at leat 2 bits & allow yourself plenty of bleed on the outer edges.

Hope this helps, good luck! Would be great to see a WIP of it coming together!

I wouldn't use the blue tape as its very strong and will lift up paint. Stick with tamiya, there was someone that found a cheaper alternative to tamiya tape from 3M. I think it was Bob, so bob if your reading please let us know one last time what tape it is and where to find it.

tonioseven

08-31-2012, 12:52 AM

Frog Tape.

mike@af

08-31-2012, 08:04 AM

Tamiya tape

OR

Frog Tape.

Adam Baker

08-31-2012, 10:55 AM

I made 1 template from the blue tape, that I mentioned in my first post. Before sticking it to the decal paper, I stuck it to my jeans several times, to decrease the amount of tack. I was scared that if I didnt do that, I'd never get it off the decal.

I wouldn't use the blue tape as its very strong and will lift up paint. Stick with tamiya, there was someone that found a cheaper alternative to tamiya tape from 3M. I think it was Bob, so bob if your reading please let us know one last time what tape it is and where to find it.

Hmm, Frog Tape? Is it pretty thin?

I tried getting Shurtape Razor Edge tape yesterday, b/c its very thin, only about .004"/.1mm thick, and pretty low tack, but I cant find it anymore. The store did have Frog Tape though. I'll definitely have to look into that then.

Adam Baker

08-31-2012, 06:54 PM

I found 1" wide Frog Tape at WalMart this afternoon, and its exactly the same thing as the Shurtape I've been trying to find. Going to give it a shot tonight, and hopefully it'll do what I need.